School funding, infrastructure and a Texas Qualified Hotel Project are among Allen officials' priorities for the 2027 Texas Legislature, which begins in January. 

Members of Allen City Council, the Allen ISD board of trustees and the Allen Chamber of Commerce outlined goals for the 2027 Texas legislative session at an Oct. 29 meeting.

The overview: Allen City Council approved its list of six priorities during an Oct. 27 meeting. City leaders aim to work collaboratively with state leaders while also protecting the ability for local officials to respond to the community’s unique needs, assistant city manager Rebecca Vice said. 

The specifics: The city of Allen’s six priorities are: 

• Kalahari/the Texas Qualified Hotel Project

• Protecting fiscal capacity and essential services

• Preserving locally accountable decision-making

• Supporting public safety and community resilience 

• Partnering on infrastructure and long-term sustainability

• Supporting strong local schools

Arwa Yemeni Coffee is coming soon to Allen, a new project filing states.

A closer look: The filing shows work is planned to renovate an over 1,600-square-foot space on Stacy Road. The renovation work has an estimated cost of $345,000, with construction expected to wrap up in late January.

The shop will offer traditional Yemeni coffee and tea such as Sanaani coffee, Qishr, Mofawer, Jubani and Adeni tea, according to the business’s website.

• 1536 E. Stacy Road, Allen

Prosper approved a $2 billion Venetian village on the Dallas North Tollway, while Indian grocery store and food court Spices of India eyes a 2027 opening in McKinney. Check out six trending stories from Community Impact’s Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

1. Prosper greenlights $2B Venetian village on Dallas North Tollway

2. Spices of India grocery store, food court slated for 2027 opening in McKinney

3. Little Dutch opens with contemporary Italian concept in Grapevine

4. More than 214K ballots cast in Collin County during first week of early voting

5. Vaaraahi - Biryanis & Beyond offers Indian cuisine in Frisco

6. Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Keller ISD, Place 5

American Airlines opened four of its 10 new gates in the Terminal A pier at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Oct. 21.

The new gates are A10, A11, A13 and A15. The remaining six gates will open over the next few weeks as part of the pier-style expansion, according to a news release from the Fort Worth-based airline.

The 140,000-square-foot addition follows a similar pier-style expansion at Terminal C, which opened in June and added nine gates.

Zooming in: According to American Airlines, Terminal A will become the airline’s busiest hub, with more than 200 departures on peak days.

The pier features updated seating with power outlets at every seat, electronic boarding gates, and expanded dining and shopping options, according to a news release. Work on the project started in 2024 and used modular construction, with sections built on the airport campus and then transported to the pier.